Dundee 1 – 0 Aberdeen

Luke McCowan’s penalty despatched Dundee again into the Scottish Premiership high six and left Aberdeen going through a battle in opposition to the drop.

McCowan’s fourth objective in six video games – and his eighth general this season – earned Tony Docherty’s facet a deserved 1-0 win at Dens Park.

The midfielder netted within the 66th minute following a prolonged VAR examine which finally noticed Jack MacKenzie penalised for handball.

The house facet had dominated the primary half however some hesitancy in entrance of objective, good goalkeeping from Kelle Roos and a few poor deliveries from corners stored the scores clean at half-time.

Aberdeen have been led into the sport by first-team coach Peter Leven, who was again in caretaker cost for the second time in six weeks following the tip of Neil Warnock’s transient spell on the helm.

However the Dons have now gone 11 league video games with out victory and the defeat leaves them simply three factors away from the hazard zone following second-bottom Ross County’s stoppage-time equaliser in opposition to Hibernian, which allowed Dundee to leap above the Edinburgh facet.

Any slim hopes of a top-six push vanished fully as outcomes on the night time left the Dons 9 factors behind Dundee with 4 video games till the break up.

They face one other away recreation on Saturday, in opposition to Motherwell, earlier than the anticipated appointment of a long-term successor to Barry Robson through the worldwide break, though the visiting followers clearly had little religion within the decision-makers as they chanted “sack the board” within the closing minutes.

The house facet have been shortly on the entrance foot and Curtis Predominant ought to have transformed the rebound after Roos parried Scott Tiffoney’s strike. The previous Dons striker took a contact and the goalkeeper smothered.

A superb Dodgson cross was simply too far in entrance of Predominant six yards out earlier than Dundee had a penalty declare for handball when Connor Barron blocked Tiffoney’s shot. Referee Steven McLean delayed after which gave a free-kick to Aberdeen contained in the field.

Dundee remained effectively on high. Roos bravely denied Lyall Cameron because the midfielder slid in to satisfy Predominant’s low cross and the Dutchman tipped over Dodgson’s long-range striker.

Angus MacDonald blocked effectively from Tiffoney and Cameron shot simply broad as Dundee continued to probe.

Aberdeen regarded barely higher firstly of the second half however they fell behind after initially surviving a free-kick into the field.

McLean stored the 8,215 crowd ready even after going to his monitor however he finally pointed to the spot and McCowan despatched Roos the fallacious method.

Cameron quickly had an excellent likelihood to double the lead however he dragged a shot broad following Tiffoney’s sq. ball.

Dundee continued to create probabilities and Roos saved from Cameron and Predominant.

There was loads of effort from the guests however dwelling goalkeeper Jon McCracken remained untested apart from from aerial balls till he held two headers from substitute Ester Sokler within the closing levels.

Docherty lauds ‘excellent’ efficiency

Dundee supervisor Tony Docherty:

“I assumed it was a incredible efficiency, among the finest of the season.

“We had big dominance within the first half, I used to be bemoaning a remaining go and cross however the stage of efficiency was excellent.

“Earlier than the sport we have been bemoaning the actual fact we have been surrendering too many leads. I felt, after we went 1-0 up, I did not have any concern we might lose the sport.

“Aberdeen threw lots at us however the mentality of the group was incredible and it exhibits we’re studying and growing.”

Leven: I apologise to the followers – we’re working out of video games

Aberdeen caretaker Peter Leven:

“Not ok. First half, actually poor. Began effectively second half and the objective has killed us. However, for me, not sufficient high quality on the ball and we dropped too deep.

“I simply mentioned to them, pay attention, we’re in hassle. You’ve got to discover a method. We had some trustworthy phrases in there.

“We’re working out of video games and now we have bought to choose up factors. Yeah, I may blame VAR but it surely’s simply not ok. (The penalty) was harsh, I’ve solely seen one replay, however no matter I can say cannot change it.

“We now have bought to face up and be counted now, that was nowhere close to ok for Aberdeen Soccer Membership.

“Higher groups have gone down, in all probability. It is a huge recreation on Saturday now.

“It is about need, enjoying for the badge, enjoying for the followers. We by no means picked up second balls, we by no means examined them.

“I apologise to the followers. They pay their hard-earned money to return right here and comply with us throughout Europe and Scotland.”

What’s next?

Sunday seventeenth March 11:00am


Kick off 12:00pm

Aberdeen’s subsequent Scottish Premiership match is away to Motherwell on Saturday; kick-off 3pm.

Dundee host Rangers on Sunday, dwell on Sky Sports activities, kick off 12pm.